00:00 Video shooting process
00:21 Topic of the video
00:44 Tip #1. Know, what’s coming.
01:59 Tip #2. Understand the Marking criteria!
02:39 Tip #3. Create an English Environment!
03:12 Tip #4. Record yourself!
03:38 Tip #5. Work on your pronunciation.
04:23 Tip #6. Weekly mock with a toy!
05:01 Tip #7. Believe in yourself!
In this video I am going to share with you 7 top tips practicing without an IELTS Speaking partner.
Tip N1. Know, what’s coming. It’s vital that you understand the format of Speaking test. If you know what to expect, you will already be a step closer to achieving the result you want. IELTS Speaking exam is divided into 3 parts: Part 1-Introduction or Interview. It lasts between 4 and 5 minutes. The examiner introduces him or herself. And they ask you to introduce yourself. Then, the examiner asks you general questions on familiar topics like, family, work, studies, interests.
Part 2 Individual long turn. It lasts between 3-4 min. After the first part you talk about a particular topic. The examiner gives you points you can cover in your talk. You can prepare your talk for a minute and you are given a pencil and a paper to make notes. You talk for one to two minutes on the topic. The examiner then asks you one or two questions on the same topic.
Part 3 Two-way discussion. (4-5 min). The examiner asks further questions which are connected to the topic of the Part 2. This gives you an opportunity to discuss more general issues and ideas.
Tip N2. Understand the Marking criteria!
This is one of the crucial points that every test taker should pay attention to. So, what specifically are you tested on:
Just these 4 things:
1. Fluency and Coherence;
2. Vocabulary;
3. Grammar;
4. Pronunciation.
They each hold 25 % of the mark. You won’t be assessed on the content of what you say, you won’t be tested on your knowledge or your inteligence. You are not expected to be and expert on the subjects they ask you about.
The examiner just wants to hear your opinions and how well you communicate them.
Tip N3. Create an English Environment! Surround yourself with the English atmosphere! Everything you read, watch, listen should be in English. Just turn on the English mind. Forget your first language, at least until you take a test.
I, for instance, started to create an English environment with changing the language of my phone. And this was my first step towards the English world. Once all things around you in English, you automatically start to THINK IN ENGLISH.
Tip N4. Record yourself! We all have the recording apps on our phones and laptops. All you have to do is take common IELTS speaking questions from reliable sources and record yourself answering the questions. Then, listen back and note down any areas that you think could be improved. Remember to only consider things mentioned in the official marking criteria.
Tip N 5. Work on your pronunciation. If you have poor Pronunciation and the examiner can’t understand what you are saying, they have no way of assessing your English language skills.
So, how to improve pronunciation?
There are some tips I use and recommend my students.
Listen to podcasts. You can find million of podcasts on different topics on the internet. Just download them. Listen twice without the transcript and then with the transcript. After you have fully understand, it’s time for shadowing. Speak out loud all the words form the recording until you study and copy the stress and intonation.
Tip N6. Weekly mock with a toy! Yeah, it may sound strange! But believe me, when you have nobody to practice with, your toy comes to help you.
Once a week according to you schedule organize a mock Speaking test for yourself. So, put a toy in front of you and choose random questions from recent test start to read and answer the questions. Don’t forget to record a video on your phone as well. Once you finish the mock, what the video, so that you can find your mistakes and try not to repeat them next time. Remember! Self-assessment helps you enhance your score.
Tip N 7. Believe in yourself! We know sometimes we have no choice and we must work alone! That’s life! And if you are preparing for the IELTS speaking test all alone, then you should follow tips I mentioned before.
So guys, hope it was useful.
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